The Positive Birth Book: A new approach to pregnancy, birth and the early weeks
The Positive Birth Book is written for pregnant women and is not specifically aimed at midwives. However, midwives may find it interesting to read as it contains personal reflections that could help midwives to understand women's thoughts and feelings.
The book is written well with some humorous twists that make it an enjoyable read. The chapters cover many aspects of pregnancy and birth and include some of the author's introspective moments as well as carefully presented evidence to support women's decision making. The book highlights and prompts reader consideration on topics such as mode of birth, induction of labour, coping mechanisms for birth and general transition to motherhood. The book's main focus is empowerment of women through accurate information and unbiased debate.
The content reflects current practice and up-to-date evidence but Hill presents this in an readable and comprehensible format for pregnant women. The chapters are well balanced and the language used is very practical and down to earth. Milli's ability to inject a little levity into the discussion is a welcome aspect that makes the book's heavier discussions a little bit easier to digest. I think the book will be well-received by parents from across the world and will support parents in making their own pregnancy and birth choices.
“The chapters do not focus solely on normal pregnancy and birth as many other books of similar style do, and this book would not be guilty of presenting pregnancy and birth through ‘rose-coloured glasses’”
The chapters do not focus solely on normal pregnancy and birth as many other books of similar style do, and this book would not be guilty of presenting pregnancy and birth through ‘rose-coloured glasses’. Milli discusses pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period as a time of some uncertainty in which she acknowledges that things do not always go the way a woman may have planned. She is unflinching in her coverage of complications and times when alternative care decisions may be necessary, but she presents this information in a way that maintains the focus on a woman's right to choose. Hill's philosophy is grounded in the belief that how a woman feels about care is as important as a ‘healthy baby’. She is extremely knowledgeable about hospital process and procedure, and she presents the information alongside a series of personal stories from women who have experienced care such as twin birth, caesarean section and high risk care.
The chapters of the book are well-structured and contain just the right amount of information to support women in the spectrum of the choices available to them, whatever they ultimately decide. Within each chapter there is a strong emphasis on human rights and Milli frequently reminds women that they do have the right to choose the best care pathway for them. This is done levelly and straightforwardly without appearing militant or excessively aggressive towards a particular point. Midwives should appreciate the value of this book for mothers rather than feeling threatened by its potential to encourage women to challenge and questions standard care processes.
This book is an easy-to-read guide for a woman who wants to explore the many aspects of pregnancy, birth and postnatal care. I think it adds significantly to the literature available to women and midwives on human rights in childbirth, and is a valuable tool for women who wish to make the right choices for themselves as individuals.